Lemongrass
An aromatic grass with a strong citrus flavour.
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The tangy lemon taste of this aromatic herb is essential for Thai cooking. The foliage can be used as herbal tea or chopped to add a lemon flavour to any recipe. The plant grows up to 1.5 m tall, with a fine limy green colour that makes it a great ornamental grass. It’s easy to establish by stem cuttings. Best of all, the citronella contained in lemongrass is insect repelling, so planting one near your patio would help keep the mozzies away in summer.
How to grow lemongrass in a garden
- Choose a sunny or part shade spot in your garden, with well-drained soil. Enrich with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.
- Sow seed direct, planting them in clumps of 2-3 seeds, 5 mm deep at 300 mm intervals. Cover lightly with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix and water well, the seeds will germinate in 10-14 days.
- Water regularly. Once seedlings emerge, thin seedlings and feed weekly with Yates Thrive Natural Fish Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
- Harvest by snipping or pulling stems at soil level – this will also help encourage leafier growth.
How to grow lemongrass in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 300 mm wide and deep and position in a sunny or part shade. Fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Sow seed direct, planting them in clumps of 2-3 seeds, 5 mm deep. Cover lightly with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix and water well.
- Water regularly. Once seedlings emerge, thin seedlings and feed weekly with Yates Thrive Natural Fish Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
- Harvest by snipping or pulling leaves at soil level – this will also help encourage leafier growth. Sow successive crops every 3-4 weeks to extend you harvest window.
Growing tips
- Chives flourish in pots which means you can have some growing right outside the kitchen door.
More Plants
Vietnamese Mint
Vietnamese Mint is an evergreen perennial herb, popular throughout Asia. The peppery tasting leaves are great for garnishing and flavouring salads, soups and stews.
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is a pungent, attractive herb that can infuse and uplift your tea or why not add a couple of fresh leaves to garnish desserts and garden salads.
Hyssop
Hyssop is an aromatic, bushy, perennial herb. The dark green, narrow leaves have a bitter/sage/minty taste that will add flavour to soups & stews.
Basil
Basil is a deliciously fragrant, quick growing herb that pairs perfectly with tomatoes, garlic and lemon.
Recommended products
Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed
A certified organic garden input boosted with NZ Seaweed to gently nourish plants, enrich the soil and encourage a strong healthy root system.
Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate
A complete plant food enriched with natural fish, seaweed, humates, molasses and more - boosted with NPK to improve plant and soil vitality.
Yates Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix
Specially formulated for trouble-free seed raising in trays (or outdoor seed sowing direclty into the ground) and propagation of cuttings.
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